A course for technicians, gardeners and horticulturalists that need to know in detail horticultural pest and disease identification and control, with chemical and biological solutions and safety procedures and practices.

3. PATHOLOGICAL ‑One or several organisms are interfering with the health of the plant (such organisms are called "pathogens").

It requires a great deal of knowledge and expertise to be able to diagnose plant troubles. Do not expect to develop such ability quickly.

The first and perhaps most important skill to develop is an ability to inspect a plant and look for the tell tale symptoms which can provide an indication of what might be wrong.

The table below provides a systematic approach to inspecting plants which you suspect, (or know) might be unhealthy. You should look at each of the "items" one at a time, following the guide given by the "method of inspection" column.

ITEM

METHOD OF INSPECTION

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

LEAVES

View old and young leaves

‑both and underneath above

Burning

Discolouration

Holes

Leaf drop

Insects ‑live or dead

STEMS

View top to bottom, push foliage out of the way. Binoculars for tall plants.

Stem rot

Spots or other markings.

Suckering

Side shoots

Thin or thick stems.

GROWTH HABIT

Stand back and view, look at where strong growth is and direction of buds

Is it balanced

Appropriate or type of

plant (bushy for shrub...strong

terminal growth for tree..etc)

Growth rate

SOIL

Feel surface of soil, push finger 2‑4cm below surface

Remove plant from pot

Moisture/dryness

Hardness, root

density,

Burrows

Wet/dry spots

ROOTS

View holes at bottom of pot, Remove plant from container,

View surface of soil.

Root tip burn, Rotting,

Distribution of roots ‑even?

Discolouration of Growing tips

TELL-TALE SYMPTOMS

1. Wilting

a/ Insufficient water in the soil

b/ Leaves drying out faster than the water can be taken up (too hot)

c/ Something stopping water going up the stem (eg: borer, disease, etc. in lower part of plant). TAKE

A CLOSER LOOK!

2. Yellow Leaves

*IF OLDER LEAVES

a/ Lack of Nitrogen (feed with a nitrogen fertilizer)

b/ Lack of Nitrogen caused by wet soil ‑ wet soil stops nitrogen being taken into the plant (improve drainage or cut watering).

c/ Chemical damage

d/ Soil very dry

*IF YOUNGER LEAVES

a/ Iron deficiency

b/ Other nutrient deficiency

c/ Chemical damage

3. Look to see if damage is distributed evenly over plant.

On one side only

On the top only

On the most exposed parts

‑IS THERE A PATTERN?

4. Look to see if damage has only just happened....or is past?

The appearance of the growing tips tells you the current condition.

Young shoots indicate a healthy plant overcoming past problems.

Excessive side shoots lower down indicates disruption of hormone flow in the plant, or some other problem in the upper parts of the plant.

WHY STUDY THIS COURSE?

Plants are prone to a range of pests and diseases whether they are grown as crops or ornamental plants. Not only do they have to fend off these invaders but they also have to compete with other plants for air, nutrients and water. Whichever environment plants are grown in, they can be helped to overcome these problems through good techniques and strategies of management. In this course students learn about a range of different pests, diseases and disorders of plants, and how to tackle them. They also learn about weeds and how to identify and remove them. This is an ideal introductory course which covers a range of problems.
This course is suited to people working in:

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